Streatham police station looks set to be saved.

The Metropolitan Police Authority(MPA) is understood to be planning to drop its plans to close the dilapidated station.

Under the MPA's estate strategy floated last year, the police station was to be shut and replaced by a front desk manned by civilians, with police response teams stationed at patrol bases elsewhere in the borough.

The plans were met with strong objections by local residents - with more than 2,000 people signing a petition against the closure.

They were worried about a lack of police presence in the area, and reporting crime to staff rather than police officers.

The MPA set up a panel to reconsider the strategy in a number of boroughs, as a result of public feeling against the plans.

A source close to the MPA said the panel is now recommending the MPA proceeds with police station closures in a few boroughs but drop the plans for Lambeth.

The MPA have yet to confirm this is the case.

But Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Streatham, Chris Nicholson, said: “This is fantastic news for Streatham and shows that people can make their voice heard. Crime is a real concern for Streatham residents.

“The proposals to close Streatham police station and move police response teams to an industrial estate elsewhere in Lambeth would have been a disaster for the fight against crime in our area.”

It is not known whether investment will now be made to improve the station.

Currently, is in desperate need of repair, with officers holding meetings in portable huts.